Craig Kapitan is a Senior Multimedia Journalist for New Zealand's Herald, with extensive experience reporting on crime, navigating courtrooms, and supervising other crime and courts reporters.
I started my newspaper career in 2000 and have spent the majority of my time since then navigating courtrooms in the United States and New Zealand or supervising other crime and courts reporters. Along the way, I’ve covered the trials of a military base mass shooter, gang hitmen, rogue police officers and prison guards and more murder and death penalty cases than I can recall. Non-courtroom assignments have included rushing to a small Texas town where remnants of Nasa’s Columbia space shuttle rained down after its explosion, coverage of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, a one-on-one interview with former US President George Bush Sr and a surreal ride in Chuck Norris' ute during which I quizzed the actor about his favourite Chuck Norris jokes. Some of my proudest moments in journalism include an investigative series that helped result in the criminal conviction of a judge and a 20,000-word, four-part story about a decorated police officer whose life was nearly destroyed by PTSD after serving as a sniper in Iraq. The later series resulted in a 2008 Livingston Award, which dubs itself the Pulitzer Prize for reporters under 35. I tied in the ‘excellence in national reporting’ category with The New York Times’ CIA reporter. I studied journalism at the University of Missouri and worked for newspapers in San Francisco and Texas before moving to Auckland in 2015. I spent six years in the TVNZ newsroom before starting at that Herald in 2021.
‘You wait. I’ll get you’: Driver ran down sister’s abuser at Christmas
He spotted the man walking and swerved onto the footpath and hit him.
Ferrari-driving 'Pink Porsche' ecstasy kingpin sentenced alongside wife
The couple were respected Auckland entrepreneurs, but the drug trade fuelled their wealth.
'Gratuitous and unprovoked': Thief jailed for fatal attack on 60yo who wanted stolen car back
The victim was backing away when he was hit with a blindside punch.
'The kids won't shut up': Court cuts sentence for mum who killed infant, condemns absent dad
'The kids won't be safe,' she had previously warned her ex-partner.
How a construction company's email blunder led to NZ's first-ever 'cartel conduct' criminal case
'It's cheating the system,' a judge said today as MaxBuild's director was sentenced.
Arrest warrant issued after ex-reality TV star skips sentencing to attend gig
The judge said he wouldn't let the court be 'an absolute laughing stock'.
Xmas mercy for alcoholic whose ninth drink-driving offence involved $400k AT bus
He said he drank 'two goons and was trying to be stupid' but didn't want to steal the bus.
How a police shooting led to the unravelling of a black market gun-trafficking scheme
Police found text messages in which the duo discussed grinding serial numbers off guns.
Home detention for ex-Killer Beez member who planned rogue hit on rival gang member
The judge said the defendant has a tough road ahead after handing in his patch.
Fateful call: Skipper told sandbar decision 'the one you regret the most'
Kevin McQuire pleaded guilty earlier this year over Clarks Beach boating tragedy.
‘Just lost it’: Court docs outline why a convicted baby killer decided to murder again
Donovan Duff's name and criminal history had been kept secret until today.
Mongrel Mob baby killer admits second murder – this time inside Auckland prison
He already had a minimum non-parole period of 17 years before the second killing.
Ex-Auckland pharmacist asks judge to toss conviction for $50,000 theft so he can work in Australia
A conviction might make it more difficult to attend pharmacist conferences, he said.
Lured through a dating app: How man with spotless record became drug ring henchman
Loneliness made him vulnerable to exploitation, his lawyer said.
Sex worker who fatally stabbed beloved father jailed after judge rejects rape claim
The father-of-two from Ghana bled to death after having an artery severed in his arm.
Businessman who drove off with 70yo woman hanging off his ute jailed for manslaughter
Miaoyuan Liang died after falling from the side of Anthony Williamson's vehicle.
Where's the $50,000? Serial robber jailed for bizarre casino heist, but cash still missing
Eru Stevens has a history of robbery and schizophrenia. They go hand-in-hand, court told.
Jailed again: 501's wild police chase in stolen $249k Porsche followed murder-for-hire plot
Sifa Tevita relieved himself in front of police as the 1.5-hour, 100km chase ended.
Hells Angel admits drug scheme, but was he 'Mr Big'?
Police never found the 451kg of high-quality meth. They solved the case without it.
Darts player who fatally stomped on opponent's head at Auckland bar guilty of murder
Chris Salt claimed his victim was a deportee who had a gun. He was wrong.
Suppression lapses for Auckland man accused of fatally stabbing ex-partner
A murder trial has been set for 2026.
Tyre iron attack: Home-d for street racer who permanently disabled resident irate over burnouts
The judge suggests he sell his "precious" Holden to fund a $15k victim reparation payment.
Disgraced property developer jailed after undercover child sexual grooming bust
He was caught trying to trade gift vouchers for sex with a 14yo, police say.
‘My dad scares me’: Life sentence for man who stabbed ex to death with their 6yo in house
He attacked after she accused him of selling their child's Nintendo.
'Peaceful' murder defendant who kicked, stomped man's head with full force says he meant no harm
Christopher Salt said he thought the victim was a 501 who had a gun. Neither was true.
Brian Tamaki walks free on Covid-19 protest charges
Brian and Hannah Tamaki have been on trial alongside two other church members for weeks.
Man who stabbed witness prior to trial now says he was hearing voices - judge rejects claim
Kevin Marshall said he would decapitate his ex so she couldn't give evidence.
'Blatantly crossed a line': Judge rejects tomato juice protester's conviction appeal
Others must be deterred from using physical attacks as a form of protest, the judge said.
King Cobra jailed 18 years, despite brain tumour, for airport meth scheme
Nigel Iuvale lured Auckland Airport baggage handlers into the criminal underworld.
Jury rejects 16yo's self-defence claim after plunging knife into schizophrenic stranger's neck
But the group also rejected a murder finding.
Gang war blunder: Killer Beez members admit firing into home with sleeping infant, 8yo boy
The rival gang member they wanted to target no longer lived there.
Coward punch, fatal head stomps: Trial begins for man who attacked darts opponent
Jurors were shown video of the attack caught on CCTV.
'Not once been caught': Gang associate who bragged about drug importation success is jailed
The former Head Hunters prospect found himself at the centre of a gang beef.
Teen describes moment he stabbed stranger's neck at Auckland bus stop
“Oh f***, that’s no good," he recalled thinking as blood started spurting.
Violent offender shanked four inmates during year-long prison stabbing spree
He's been in and out of adult prisons since age 13.
Police Commissioner's secret call with Brian Tamaki revealed at lockdown breach trial
Coster offered masks for Tamaki's protest, warned of backlash if rules were broken.
'Not a piece of meat to be cut': Man sentenced for brutal throat slashing of ex-wife
The attack lasted almost 8 minutes, with pauses to replace the knife blade.
Destiny Church leaders on trial, accused of defying Covid restrictions
The controversial religious figure risks up to six months' imprisonment if convicted.
Repeat offender prison-bound again after blasting hole in hotel room door
David Mane was already on parole for shooting a man in the stomach in Northland.
Return of the Tinder swindler: After prison, prolific scam artist picked up where he left off
Fraudster attends latest sentencing in construction get-up, saying he wants to work.
'No remorse': Grieving dad yells at drink driver who killed 14yo boy
Tere Moekore was four times over the limit when she hit Kaea Matau - and kept on driving.
Polkinghorne's blame game backfires as he returns to court after murder acquittal
Judge: There was no evidence at trial suggesting Pauline Hanna purchased or used meth.
Polkinghorne sentenced to 150 hours of community work for meth use
The surgeon sought to downplay his P usage, but it was a centrepiece of the Crown case.
'Brutal act': Drug-dealing duo left body to rot after Epsom motel attack
It was the second homicide one of the men had been linked to.
Tongan rugby team hires man who joined deadly attack on MMA fighter Fau Vake
Semisie Pomale was granted a discharge without conviction, in part because of his new job.
Fonterra manager guilty of manslaughter over meth-laced beer death
Aiden Sagala, 21, died after unknowingly drinking contaminated beer.
Meth-tainted beer trial: Manslaughter defendant’s kind nature led to tragic mix-up, lawyer says
Aiden Sagala overdosed after he drank a beer given to him by the defendant.
Watch: Honey Bear meth beer manslaughter defendant caught on camera handling deadly product
Aiden Sagala, 21, suffered a fatal overdose after unknowingly drinking liquid meth.
Ex-MP loses appeal for $9k shoplifting spree, conviction to stand
Judge: 'Consequences of conviction cannot be said to be ‘out of all proportion’.'
Abuse in care trial aborted for former staff at South Auckland boys’ home after one day
Allegations included sexual abuse, physical abuse and forced fights between children.
Disturbing abuse claims surface in South Auckland boys' home trial
The Crown has alleged graphic sexual and physical violence.
Former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman files appeal after shoplifting conviction
She was convicted in June for a $9000 shoplifting spree.
'Life of nightmares': Crip jailed after terrifying bar robbery, prison escape and inmate stabbing
An employee of the bar had a pistol held to her head as she opened the cash-filled safe.
Eight years after shooting man in the gut, killer returned to prison on gun charge
'I hope when you dream you see his ghost,' the victim's father once told Bodi McKee.
Morbidly obese fraudster tries to use his weight to avoid jail for immigration scam
He previously stole the identities of dead babies, then used obesity to his advantage.
Home detention for Auckland rugby player whose partner died during kidnapping
“I thought a grown man would run out of tears by now,” the victim's father said.
Woman accused of fatal car theft named at first court appearance for murder, but not co-defendant
It appears a man found dead on Pt England Rd had been run over by his own vehicle.
Transgender refugee seeks to overturn conviction for Posie Parker tomato juice assault
Pharmacist Eli Rubashkyn says she lost her job due to the high-profile incident.
Drill to the knee: Nightclub bottom smack allegation results in kidnap, torture
The victim was taken to a gang-affiliated home before he was stripped naked and attacked.
Pauline Hanna's GP, scrutinised at Polkinghorne murder trial, keeps name secret for now
Justice Lang: "Public may think her actions fell below standards if name revealed."
Fugitive jailed for 'gratuitous, shameful' attack that left 90yo man permanently disabled
The elderly victim was strangled from behind and savagely beaten in his own home.
Philip Polkinghorne trial timeline: Nine weeks that gripped the nation
The Auckland eye surgeon was accused of killing wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.
‘Let Pauline rest in peace’: Polkinghorne found not guilty of murdering wife
The Crown said the Remuera surgeon strangled his wife. The defence said it was suicide.
Sex, drugs and despair: Inside the Polkinghorne murder trial, which gripped the nation
The eye surgeon's eight-week murder trial was based on circumstantial evidence.
Revealed: Jury's question to judge in Polkinghorne murder trial
The jury will return to court at 11am.
Polkinghorne murder trial: Jury sent home, deliberations to resume next week
The former eye surgeon sobbed in court this morning as his 111 call was played.
Polkinghorne sobs before jury retires to consider verdict after 52 days
The former eye surgeon sobbed in court this morning as his 111 call was played.
Jury will deliberate Polkinghorne verdict tomorrow: 'Don’t allow emotion, sympathy or prejudice guide'
Justice Graham Lang told the jury to focus on the facts.
Polkinghorne trial: Judge sends jury home as verdict deliberations begin tomorrow
The eye surgeon is accused of strangling wife Pauline Hanna then staging a suicide.
Jury in Polkinghorne murder trial expected to begin deciding verdict today
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
Polkinghorne's bulk meth purchases, 'strangulation' search not unusual, defence argues
Accusations the eye surgeon staged a suicide are 'murder mystery' fantasy: defence.
Jury in Polkinghorne murder trial expected to begin deciding verdict tomorrow
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
'Murder mystery' Crown case in Polkinghorne killing relies on a 'phantom', defence says
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
Surgeon's life became 'aggressively shambolic' with sex, spending and violence prior to wife's murder - Crown
The eye surgeon is accused of murdering wife Pauline Hanna, staging a suicide.
'Increased libido': Polkinghorne's high sex drive sign of serious P habit, Crown alleges
The surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna before staging a suicide.
'Unmasks the murderer': Crown lays out case for Polkinghorne's guilt in closing address
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
After seven weeks and 80 witnesses, evidence concludes in Polkinghorne murder trial
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
Polkinghorne murder trial: Most suicides don't leave notes - defence
Philip Polkinghorne is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Polkinghorne trial: 'Vicious circle' of sleep deprivation may have upped suicide risk, expert says
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.
Hanna had 'whole array' of suicide risk factors the night of her death: defence psychiatrist
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.